MNR has been sending out a standard
response to public comments voicing concern over the Sharp Rock logging.
If you could read between the lines, this is what you'd learn.

MNR:These blocks were subject to a full and
comprehensive consultation process, which included input from public,
local citizens, First Nation, industry and environmental organizations... EMAIL
CONTEXT

It
should be noted that this plan was ordered redone in 1999 by a 1998 court
ruling. The court found the existing plan was illegal, as MNR failed to get proper
environmental approval and didn't adhere to legal requirements for forest
sustainability.

"Consultation"
is vague. It is public comment, not public decision-making. MNR still
makes the decisions behind closed doors.

MNR:The FMP fully conforms to land use decisions
detailed in the Temagami Land Use Plan... EMAIL
CONTEXT

The
ministry has used the land-use plan to justify logging while selectively ignoring most
of the other requirements of the plan. See Forestry
Fiefdom for more.

The
MNR and forest-industry objective is to eliminate wild forests and turn them into tree farms.

MNR:We are not aware of any evidence to support the
claim that only 1% of the existing old growth red and white pine remains
in Ontario.
EMAIL
CONTEXT

MNR
is aware of the fact that only one per cent of the world's old growth red
and white pine remains. Stating this in terms of Ontario avoids admitting it has known
about its globally-endangered status since 1992 through its own committees, hearings and a court
case. See Evidence of awareness.

This
strategy has been weakened considerably by MNR from its original intent.
Two conservation reserves were never created as proposed (North Lady Evelyn and Willow
Is. Creek) and allowances for roads have become so loose as to undermine any
credibility of protection.

MNR:
MNR
is not aware of any scientific evidence that supports the suggestion that
harvesting in stands adjacent to old growth red and white pine stands will
have any detrimental effects. EMAIL
CONTEXT

The
ministry has been aware of the scientific evidence since 1994 through its own committees. See
Evidence of awareness.

The
issue has been the Red Squirrel Road section west of Sharp Rock Portage, not the
entire road. The former road west of this point was not passable by an
on-road vehicle in September 2001 and the former Bob Lake Road was
impassable in the same manner in November
2001. If an on-road vehicle can't use it, is it not an abandoned road?

MNR:The Red Squirrel Roadhas
been used throughout the current FMP for harvesting, renewal and tending
activities. EMAIL
CONTEXT

The Red Squirrel Road
is open and used between Hwy 11 and Lake Temagami, but
not the western section, west of Sharp Rock. Discussion of the open
section is taking the issue about the closed western section out of
context.

MNR:The
Land Use Strategy states that "existing roads can continue to be
used, but new roads for resource extraction will not be permitted, with
the exception of necessary access for mineral exploration and
development." EMAIL
CONTEXT

The
context is roads in conservation reserves. MNR intends to
construct a road across the Bob Lake Conservation Reserve, but has been
carefully saying the road already exists (thereby justifying crossing the
reserve) even though an old road there has fallen apart and must be re-built to be
usable. If the MNR can use the argument that if a road was ever
there then it is still a road, then no road can ever be abandoned or
closed. This would endanger many so-called protected areas across Ontario.

SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE

One
per cent old growth

MNR's Class Environmental Assessment for Timber Management
in North Bay, April 92 before Environmental Assessment Board hearing with
testimony.